Northeast Airspace Redesign Moves Forward

In a program that started more than 10 years ago, the FAA is now in the final stages of its northeast airspace redesign project, which involves “a wholesale restructuring” of the cruising, departure and arrival routes and procedures in more than 31,000 sq mi of airspace encompassing 21 major airports in five states. The purpose of the redesign is to improve air traffic efficiency and reduce delays, particularly at LGA, EWR, JFK and PHL. On Friday, the FAA announced it selected the Integrated Airspace Alternative (IAA), one of four redesign proposals that were under consideration. It expects to publish this summer a final environmental impact statement concerning noise-mitigation aspects and in August issue a “record of decision” on how to proceed with the IAA phase-in. Five public meetings have been scheduled: April 23 in New York; April 24 in Stamford, Conn.; April 25 in Newark, N.J.; April 30 in Wilmington, Del.; and May 1 in Philadelphia.